Plot Synopsis

Starting over isn't easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being a Los Angeles police officer. As the force's oldest rookie, he's met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. If he can't keep up with the young cops and the criminals, he'll be risking lives including his own. But if he can use his life experience, determination and sense of humor to give him an edge, he may just become a success in this new chapter of his life. Soon after joining the force, Talia forces Nolan to confront his personal moral instincts in order to be a good cop after he encounters a kidnapping victim. Meanwhile, Lucy is temporarily placed with a new training officer who tests her patience, and Jackson must confront his failures head-on if he wants to be an officer. One week before the series premiered, ABC renewed THE ROOKIE for a second season.

On Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT, the sophomore season of THE ROOKIE premieres on ABC, with Mark Cuban guest starring as himself. Six months into his career as a cop, John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, has used his life experience, determination and sense of humor to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior. But as he embarks on the second half of his rookie year, Nolan will be put to the test by a host of new challenges, romantic relationships and deadly criminals, as he looks to figure out what kind of cop he ultimately wants to be. In the season opener, "Impact," danger is ever-present as the officers of the Mid-Wilshire precinct grapple with the aftermath of a plotted attack on the city of Los Angeles, leaving Officer Bradford fighting for his life. Flash forward two weeks and the rookies receive the shocking results of their latest training exam, leaving one officer questioning what the future holds. Meanwhile, tension develops at home as Nolan and Lopez advance in their relationships with Jessica and Wesley.

Season 3 of THE ROOKIE premiered on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT on ABC. In the season opener, "Consequences," Nolan, earing the end of his training, now faces his biggest challenge as a police officer yet when he must come to terms with the choices he has made in pursuit of the truth. Guest starring is Michael Beach as Commander Percy West, Harold Perrineau as Detective Nick Armstrong, Brent Huff as Officer Smitty, Annie Wersching as Rosalind Dyer, Crystal Coney as Nurse Lisa and Hrach Titizian as Ruben Derian.

On Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT on ABC, THE ROOKIE returned for its fourth season. In the season opener, "Life and Death," Officer Nolan and the entire team race against the clock to locate Lopez after she is kidnapped on her wedding day, not only to save her life but her unborn child's. On Sunday, January 2, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT, ABC debuted "Heart Beat," the winter premiere of THE ROOKIE. ow that John Nolan knows about Bailey's past, he must decide if they still have a future. Meanwhile, when a plane crashes in the middle of the city the team races to find out why.
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On Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT, ABC debuted "Day in the Hole," the Season 4 finale of THE ROOKIE. Officer John Nolan is forced to spend a week in solitary confinement in a quiet border town with a young local officer who is in need of some training. Meanwhile, Sergeant Bradford and Officer Chen discover that looks are deceiving and go undercover together in a possible drug trafficking case. Guest stars: Brent Huff as Officer Smitty, Alan Tudyk as Ellroy Basso, Sara Rue as Nell Forester, Dylan Conrique as Tamara Colins and Pete Davidson as Pete Nolan. Written and directed by Alexi Hawley.

THE ROOKIE has been renewed for a fifth season.